THE former chief executive of BT has been awarded a £3.7 million pay packet in the same year he announced plans to cut 55,000 jobs by 2030.

The Communication Workers Union nicknamed Philip Jansen “Food Bank Phil” after the telecoms giant set up a “community pantry” for call centre staff, during a pay dispute in 2022.

Thousands of workers are to lose their jobs after he announced the sweeping job cuts in May last year.

BT accounts published today revealed that he received his largest pay and bonus package for the past financial year, taking his total earnings over five years at the company to £16.8m.

This included a £2.6m bonus for hitting targets linked to profit and cash flow.

A BT spokesperson said his overall pay packet was higher “due to stronger performance outcomes against our bonus measures” and the two tranches of his long-term share awards vesting this year.

His successor, Allison Kirkby, has said she will continue his cost-cutting plans.